Director Michael Showalter is stirring up anticipation for the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2018 thriller, Verity, set to hit theaters in 2026. The plot follows a protagonist named Lowen, who takes on a job as a ghostwriter for the eponymous Verity, only to uncover startling revelations about her.
In the movie, Anne Hathaway stars as Verity, while Dakota Johnson portrays the ghostwriter, Lowen. Josh Hartnett takes on the role of Verity’s husband, Jeremy. The film also features Brady Wagner, Daniel Echevarria, Michael Abbott Jr., and Asel Swango in supporting roles.
During a conversation with Tatiana Hullender from ScreenRant for Oh. What. Fun., Showalter expressed his enthusiasm about working with Hathaway on Verity. He praised their creative and collaborative connection, which motivated them to team up again following their previous project together.
Showalter shared more about his experiences working on Verity, highlighting its distinct nature compared to his other films. He described it as a “thriller” that is “quite dark and twisted.” Below is his full statement:
ScreenRant: Currently, you’re collaborating with Anne Hathaway on Verity. Did this project stem from a prior collaboration? How has the experience been?
Michael Showalter: The creative and collaborative connection between Anne and me is exceptionally strong, and we thoroughly enjoyed working together on The Idea of You. We were eager to find another project to collaborate on, and Verity presented itself.
We completed filming about a year ago, less than that actually. I loved every moment of it and I’m looking forward to the audience’s reaction to Verity. It won’t be released until next fall, but it’s a completely different type of movie than Oh. What. Fun. or The Idea of You. It’s thrilling, frightening, and suspenseful. It’s quite dark and twisted, but I am very excited and proud of this film.
Showalter also mentioned that he had previously directed Hathaway in the 2024 age-gap romance The Idea of You, which gained popularity on Prime Video. Now, Verity offers them another opportunity to collaborate.
In the meantime, Showalter is keeping busy with the upcoming holiday comedy Oh. What. Fun., slated for release on December 3. This film, also set to premiere on Prime Video, revolves around a family’s efforts to reconnect after overlooking one of their own during the holiday festivities.
These recent films by Showalter have generally been lighter in tone. His latest remarks recognize the shift in genre and tone with Verity.
Hathaway has explored a broad spectrum of genres throughout her career, with Verity set to showcase a grittier role than her usual fare. This presents audiences with a fresh perspective on the acclaimed actress.
There is always a strong interest in thrilling narratives, particularly those adapted from Colleen Hoover’s works. If Showalter’s adaptation of Verity successfully captures its “dark and twisted” essence, it could very well be a significant success.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
